áááÑ DESPITE ANOTHER ARCTIC FREEZE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, SPRING IS A FEW WEEKS AWAY AND ONE OF THE ANNUAL "RITES OF SPRING" IS TAKING PLACE THIS WEEKEND HERE IN PORTLAND. PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THE 17TH ANNUAL PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW. THE SHOW OPENS TO THE PUBLIC THURSDAY. 14 GARDENS WILL BE ON DISPLAY WITH 90 DIFFERENT VENDORS TAKING PART. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "STORY BOOK GARDENS" BOTH ORGANIZERS AND VENDORS AGREE IT HAS BEEN A LONG, COLD, BRUTAL WINTER AND áEVERYONEá IS NOW READY TO THINK SPRING. justina marcisso/events admissions director tc: 19 56 05 the smell of mulch, the sights of beautiful flowers we have got as many flowers as possible for this type of year that is something the public wants to see when they walk in the door, so that is something we have to look forward to. TC 19 56 17 THE PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW RUNS THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY AND ORGANIZERS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING ANYWHERE FROM 15

Hillary Clinton's office said "nothing nefarious was at play" when the former secretary of state used her personal email address, rather than one provided by the State Department, during her four years as America's top diplomat.